C6 H10 O5 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O
we need an even number of O atoms
2 C6 H10 O5 + x O2 ---> 12CO2 + 10 H2O
now O balance
10 + 2x = 24 + 10
x = 12
2 C6 H10 O5 + 12 O2 ---> 12CO2 + 10 H2O
I need help balancing a equation for the combustion of cellulose in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor.
C6H10O5 = 6CO +5H2O
I know this is not correct but I don't know what else to do to get this to balance.
Thanking you in advance.
3 answers
Oh, divide by 2
C6 H10 O5 + 6 O2 ---> 6CO2 + 5 H2O
C6 H10 O5 + 6 O2 ---> 6CO2 + 5 H2O
Linda, I did this for you earlier, also. The only problem I see is that you made a typo in transcribing my answer. You wrote CO instead of CO2 and that's why it wouldn't balance for you.